Consumers can now use the new Cornell Cooperative Extension "Northeast
Regional Food Guide" to do more than just choose a healthful diet. By
eating more of the foods grown and processed closer to home, consumers can
help the local economy, promote a sustainable, local food system, and enjoy
a varied diet.
Results of a telephone survey of 500 northeasterners were used to provide
background support for the development of the Northeast Regional Food
Guide. Respondents expressed a preference for locally produced foods,
concern about the resource costs of long-distance food transport, a desire
to support the region's farmers and preserve farmland, and a recognition of
individuals' roles in maintaining these components of agriculture. Nearly
all respondents (98.2 %) agreed that keeping farms viable in the Northeast
is important and 97% noted that buying local produce is an effective way to
keep farms viable in the northeast. The majority of respondents felt that
local fruits and vegetables were of higher quality than those imported from
other places. They agreed that local produce is fresher (88%), looks better
(60%) and tastes better (62%).
Consumer food choices have an impact on local agriculture, the economy, and
the natural environment. These considerations (in addition to those related
to health) are relevant to the development of nutrition education tools. To
enable consumers to act on their stated preference, they must be able to
identify locally produced and processed foods and to know where to buy more
local foods. The Northeast Regional Food Guide is meant to meet these
needs.
The NRFG is based on the USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the Food
Guide Pyramid. Like other food guides, this guide is based on our current
understanding of the relationship between food choices and health. What is
different about the Northeast Regional Food Guide is that it is specific to
the seasonal availability of foods grown in the northeastern region. Only
foods from the region are featured on the Guide and underneath this food
pyramid are seasonal produce availability lists. The poster (actual size
will be 19 X 28), with its food pyramid and seasonal lists, will help
consumers learn more about eating a healthy, seasonal diet of
northeastern-grown foods. The food groups shown on the Northeast Regional
Food Guide are consistent with those on the USDA Food Pyramid: Fats, oils
and sweets; Milk, yogurt, cheese; Dry beans, nuts, eggs, poultry, fish,
meat; Vegetables (fresh, canned, frozen, dried, stored); Fruits (fresh,
canned, frozen, dried, stored); and Bread, cereal, pasta, tortillas, whole
grains.
The fact sheets focus upon: a) following the dietary guidelines with foods
from the region, b) seasonal produce availability, c) winter vegetables and
how to use them, d) the Northeast food and agriculture system and e)
resources and tips for users. In addition to the Seasonal Produce Lists
that consumers can take to the supermarket with them, the resource includes
the following fact sheets:
* How to Use This Guide
* The Northeast: An Abundant Food Producer
* Eating Seasonally: What Does It Mean, and Why Is It Important?
* Resources for Regional Eating
* Quiz: Are You a Regional and Seasonal Eater?
* Becoming a Regional and Seasonal Eater
* "Seasoning" Your Kitchen
* Ideas for Nutrition Educators, Dietitians and Food Service Managers
This nutrition education resource is being promoted through the Northeast
Cooperative Extension system, institutional food service, nutrition and
health agencies, retail markets, the sustainable agriculture network, and
regional state Departments of Agriculture. We anticipate interest in the
Guide from a broad range of groups: extension agents with nutrition,
dietitians, agriculture and home economics responsibilities, non-extension
agencies involved in agricultural markets, direct markets, farmers'
markets, regional commodity organizations, public schools and food
retailers. This guide can be displayed in nutrition and health clinics,
supermarkets, food coops, farmers' markets, school and university
cafeterias to remind people of what foods are available from the
Northeastern region.
Support for this project came from Cooperative State Research Education and
Extension Service, the Kellogg Foundation and the Division of Nutritional
Sciences, an academic unit of the Colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences
and Human Ecology at Cornell University.
Jennifer Wilkins and
Jennifer Bokaer-Smith
Ordering Information:
The Northeast Regional Food Guide Set consists of the Northest Regional
Poster and Produce List, and a set of 8 Northeast Regional Food Guide Fact
Sheets. This is sold as a set for $8.25. The order code is 399NRFGSET. If
you want to order just the poster and the seasonal produce list, the price
is $4.50. This order code is 399NRFGP. If you want just the set of 8 fact
sheets, the price is $4.25.
Order from:
Cornell University Resource Center
7-8 Business & Technology Park
Ithaca, NY 14850
Fax: 607-255-9946
Email: dist_center@cce.cornell.edu
Voice: 607-255-7660
Jennifer L. Wilkins, Ph.D., R.D.
Senior Extension Associate
jlw15@Cornell.edu
Ishmael knows.